Posted on: Friday, September 26, 2003

Warriors turn to Bass as punt returner

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Running back Mike Bass is expected to replace Chad Owens as punt returner for the University of Hawai'i football team's game against Rice tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.

Owens is suspended for the next two games after violating team rules.

Bass, Clifton Herbert and Michael Brewster have fielded punts in practices this week. But Tyson Helton, who coordinates UH's special teams, said, "In the game, it probably will be Bass. Mike's a good runner. He has good vision. He cuts extremely well. Obviously, you want a guy back there you can trust, and he's a reliable guy."

Bass averages 7.7 yards on three punt returns this season. Owens averages 11.3 yards.

Helton was critical of the special teams in a 33-22 loss to Nevada-Las Vegas last week. The Warriors missed a field goal, punter Kurt Milne could not handle a two-bounce snap, and two kickoff returns did not surpass the 10.

"Those are the things we don't do," Helton said. "We're going back to some of the basics. We're not going to change anything we do — the personnel will be the same — but we're going to refocus and work hard and keep going."

• Broadway opening: Lamar Broadway, a backup defensive back, will "have an expanded role" against Rice, said Rich Miano, who coordinates UH's pass defense.

Broadway, a third-year sophomore from California, will serve as the top understudy to both left cornerback Kelvin Millhouse and right cornerback Abraham Elimimian. To counter Rice's deceptive run-option offense, the Warriors need sure tacklers at the corners, Miano said.

"We have to have guys who are aggressive and can tackle, and Lamar is very tough," Miano said. "He's very competitive."

• Same Rice recipe: Although Kyle Herm has recovered from a rib injury, Greg Henderson will start at quarterback for Rice tomorrow.

Henderson started the last two games, playing in all 89 offensive plays in a 27-24 overtime loss to Duke and all but one snap in last week's 48-7 loss to Texas.

"In our offense, to do what he does, that's worth an ironman award," Rice coach Ken Hatfield said.

Henderson leads the Owls with 220 rushing yards, and has scored four of the team's six touchdowns.

In the Owls' run-option offense, the quarterback is hit nearly every play. But Hatfield said the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Henderson "can take it. He's a strong guy."

"It's rough," Henderson said. After the game, "I'm beat and bruised and tired. During the game, I have to get up and go."

Henderson said he has participated in a strict weight-training program for several years. He can bench press 390 pounds, squat 650 and power clean 375.

"My parents taught me about hard work always paying off," Henderson said. "It's true."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.